Chapter 6 – Younger Brother
Only after Wen Yan left did Old Madam Gui strike the pillow hard, her face twisted with anger.
Consort Dowager Guo had ignored the crimes tied to the He family and Wen Yan’s parents because she harbored a deep dislike for Empress Dowager Shen and the Shen clan. Back then in the capital, the one who had embarrassed Princess Yongshou was none other than the eldest son of the Wen family—Wen Yan’s father, Wen Ziliang (溫子諒).
Wen Ziliang had once been Old Madam Gui’s pride. He possessed exceptional talent and learning, handsome looks, and an elegant character.
Her husband had died early, and the Marquis Ding’an Residence had already declined—but with such a son, Old Madam Gui had held her head high.
Wen Ziliang passed the imperial examinations during the late emperor’s reign and entered the tutelage of Grand Tutor He. Not only did he earn the late emperor’s praise in the palace examination, but he also won the favor of Princess Yongshou.
The princess had wished to take him as her consort.
Old Madam Gui had been overjoyed. If the marriage succeeded, not only Wen Ziliang but his two younger brothers would have secure official careers.
Yet unexpectedly, Wen Ziliang refused. Even when Empress Shen—then the reigning empress—offered to “continue” the Wen family’s noble title, he still declined.
Living far away in Lin’an and always a step behind in news, Old Madam Gui had nearly died of anger over her stubborn son.
After being rejected, Princess Yongshou became a laughingstock and even tried to strip the Marquis residence of its title. Fortunately, thanks to the benevolence of the late emperor, the matter was smoothed over.
But Old Madam Gui could not let go of the title—the title she longed for so dearly. She struggled to prolong her life even by a few years to keep it, yet her son had pushed “longevity” away.
Later, Wen Ziliang married the second daughter of Grand Tutor He. It was a respectable match, but compared to a royal princess who had once been within reach, it fell far short.
Old Madam Gui grew irritated at the mere sight of Madam He.
Fortunately, the mother-in-law remained in Lin’an while the daughter-in-law lived in the capital, so they only met during family visits and maintained a superficial peace.
This was also why Old Madam Gui disliked Wen Yan and her siblings.
Last year, when Madam He fell into trouble, Old Madam Gui had guessed that the incident implicating Wen Ziliang and his wife was part of a scheme by the Shen clan.
That was why Consort Dowager Guo still supported this marriage. First, Guo Yixiao liked Wen Yan; second, Wen Yan’s presence could damage the Shen family’s reputation—killing two birds with one stone. There might even be further layers to the scheme that Old Madam Gui had yet to perceive—precisely the sort of thing those powerful figures excelled at.
Thinking this far, Old Madam Gui felt conflicted.
If Wen Yan’s marriage went through and today’s humiliation from Madam Shunpingbo’s household could be repaid, it would be a good outcome.
But if Wen Ziliang had not rejected the princess and the marquis title had been preserved, how could they have suffered such disdain today?
All three daughters-in-law came from mediocre backgrounds, making it difficult to arrange marriages for the granddaughters, who were often slighted.
As for the grandsons’ marriages…
Old Madam Gui drew a deep breath and continued to console herself. Though the Shen family currently prospered, the Guo family was still there. If Wen Ziliang had become the princess’s consort back then, the Wen family would have been implicated when the Shen clan fell.
As long as Wen Yan and Guo Yixiao’s match succeeded, the rest of the siblings would not be a problem.
“Think long-term… think long-term…”
Only after repeating this several times did Old Madam Gui calm herself and allow Madam An and the others to enter.
Wen Yan fell into an afternoon nap.
Her dream was strange and chaotic. On one side stood a grand, resplendent palace; on the other, a quiet and simple estate. One moment she seemed to see Princess Cheng’an, the next Consort Dowager Guo…
She vaguely saw Guo Yixiao after entering the palace—how he changed from a cold youth into someone increasingly hardened…
Wen Yan suddenly opened her eyes, gasping for breath.
It was not a nightmare, yet she felt utterly exhausted.
She suddenly recalled her past conversation with Consort Dowager Guo.
In her previous life, the consort dowager had fallen gravely ill. Knowing she would not live long, she had actively made arrangements for Guo Yixiao.
The one she could not let go of most was him.
Caught in a precarious position within the court and palace, Guo Yixiao had grown wary of others due to countless schemes. Only before Consort Dowager Guo did he reveal his true feelings.
She feared that after her death, there would be no one trustworthy by his side.
Thus, she had sent people to the estate to bring Wen Yan back and arrange their marriage.
“That child is poor at expressing himself. In such an environment, he cannot show what he likes or dislikes. But I know he likes you and holds you in his heart. That is why I chose you. If you stay by his side with patience, you will understand one day.”
After hearing this, Wen Yan learned how to get along with Guo Yixiao and came to understand his way of “liking.”
At first, they bickered, but later they were truly happy.
Marriage could not be learned alone.
Though Guo Yixiao spoke little, careful observation revealed that he knew and could do many things.
Unfortunately, a faint haze lingered in his heart.
Wen Yan knew it was the five years she had missed.
Consort Dowager Guo regretted it—and so did she.
Pulling the thin quilt tighter around herself, Wen Yan resolved that this time, she would change everything.
Soon, the imperial inspector would arrive in Lin’an.
Hearing movement, Selang entered to attend her. Seeing the cold sweat on Wen Yan’s forehead, she asked,
“Miss, did you have a nightmare?”
“It’s just hot,” Wen Yan replied.
Selang did not quite believe her but did not press further. Smiling, she said,
“Second Madam just sent some melons. They’ve been chilled in the well—have some to cool off.”
After washing up and combing her hair, Wen Yan sat in the side room. Before she could even taste the melon, hurried footsteps sounded outside.
She looked up toward the curtain.
A child rushed in and stopped before her.
“Elder Sister!”
An eight-year-old boy, his forehead beaded with sweat.
Wen Yan’s eyes reddened instantly.
It was her younger brother, Wen Zhang .
Their maternal grandfather had cherished him greatly, praising his sharp mind and scholarly potential. Diligent and gifted, Wen Zhang had learned to read early, memorized poetry, and begun writing at a young age.
Even after their parents’ misfortune, he continued to study hard.
This had been one of the reasons Wen Yan accepted Consort Dowager Guo’s proposal in her previous life.
If their maternal family’s reputation was not restored, no matter how talented Wen Zhang was, he would fail in the examination halls.
Yet in the end, he never even made it to the exams. He caught a severe cold, was bedridden for three months, and developed complications. His leg became crippled, and his body frail.
But now it was different.
He could walk, run—he was still just a plump, lively child.
After returning to Lin’an, Wen Zhang enrolled at Yuquan Academy. The headmaster, Fang Yu, was a friend of their maternal grandfather. Though the He family had declined, the academy’s teachers still took good care of him.
A few days ago, he had gone on an excursion outside the city with his teacher and classmates, returning only today.
Upon hearing that Wen Yan had come back to the residence, he rushed over immediately.
“Are your lessons finished?” Wen Yan asked, steadying her voice.
“Yes,” Wen Zhang nodded.
“Why did you suddenly come back, Sister?”
Wen Yan wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief.
“I haven’t been sleeping well these days… and I wanted someone to talk to.”
Wen Zhang frowned in confusion.
“But in your last letter, you said you were sleeping well and eating well…”
“I said that to reassure you.”
Wen Yan lowered her eyes and sighed.
“You always tell me only happy things, choosing only good words. I worried whether you were truly doing well. I used to do the same—telling you to behave, not to trouble Grandmother or Uncle. But now I understand… we’re family. How can there be such a thing as ‘trouble’? If you’re unwell and don’t say anything, who will know? Who will worry for you?”
Young and accustomed to her guidance, Wen Zhang ignored such reasoning and focused only on why she couldn’t sleep and whether she was unwell.
Reassured that she was fine, he relaxed.
The siblings shared the melon.
Wen Yan listened to his stories about the autumn excursion—trivial things, yet smiles never left their faces.
A child’s joy was simple and pure, and it soothed her heart.
In her previous life, the grown Wen Zhang had never had such moments.
With homework to complete, he soon left.
After seeing him off, Selang turned back to Wen Yan and said,
“Miss, your words and actions don’t quite match.”
Wen Yan paused, then realized what she meant. She couldn’t help but smile, casting her a sideways glance.
“How bold—teasing me.”
Selang laughed.
“I care about you, Miss.”
“I had a dream during my nap. It wasn’t frightening, not even a nightmare, but it drained me.”
After a moment’s thought, Wen Yan said,
“You’re always by my side, so even if I lie, you can tell at a glance. But I can’t always watch over A-Zhang. If he hides things to avoid worrying us and keeps the servants quiet, then even if he falls ill, I might only realize too late…”
That was exactly what had happened in her previous life.
No one had known that an ordinary cold would lead to regret later.
Selang listened and nodded thoughtfully.
At that moment, Nanny Huang entered, her expression somewhat complicated.
Seeing Wen Yan’s questioning look, she forced a smile.
“Someone has come from the Shunpingbo Residence.”
Wen Yan raised an eyebrow. In the morning they had humiliated the Wen family at their own home—now they came in the afternoon to mock them further?
“They say it’s an apology. They’ve sent a pearl hairpin,” Nanny Huang said.
Selang’s expression was indescribable.
“They looked down on Second Miss and Fourth Miss earlier, and now they’re apologizing?”
Wen Yan frowned.
“Did Grandmother accept it?”
“No,” Nanny Huang replied.
“The old madam politely sent the servant back.”
Wen Yan felt relieved.
It was better not to accept such gifts at a time like this.
If Old Madam Gui left room for “flexibility,” it would only bring trouble.
Selang muttered,
“What is that household thinking?”
Not only Selang—Old Madam Gui also could not understand.
“One moment like this, the next moment like that—first hurting, then healing. Do they think I’ll be touched?”
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
“They look down on us because our residence has no heir!”
Moreover, this “remedy” did not even come with sincerity.
The ones who mistreated the Wen sisters today were Second Miss Ji; the one who insulted them was Ji Jiu; the one who mocked and humiliated Old Madam Gui was Madam Bo’s servant.
If they truly wished to apologize, even if Madam Bo herself could not come due to pride, the young madam of the household should have brought her children to apologize in person.
What kind of etiquette was it to send a random servant with a gift?
Did the Marquis Ding’an Residence lack such items?
They were clearly looking down on them!
How could someone as concerned with dignity as Old Madam Gui endure this?
However, what she did not expect was that more would follow.
